The aging population in the United States is growing rapidly. So rapidly that by 2030, every one in five Americans will be of retirement age.
The large Baby Boomer population is aging, and if your parents fall into this demographic, you may soon find yourself their caretaker. Instead of being an empty nester as your children move out, it’s time to start thinking about how to care for your parents during their time of need.
When it comes to caring for your aging parents, there are certain things to know and do. Keep reading to learn how to deal with elderly parents.
Decide on Living Arrangements
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when taking care of aging parents is their living arrangements. There are three main options to consider, which you can learn more about below.
Retirement Home
One of the more popular living arrangements for the aging population is a retirement home.
A retirement home is a facility where your parent lives full-time with other aging adults. These facilities are staffed with nurses and assistants whose full-time jobs are to care and provide for the seniors.
They’ll have medical attention, meals, help with grooming tasks, and social activities. If your aging adult is not able to take care of themself, this is the best option for around-the-clock care.
Assisted Living
Wondering how to care for aging parents while still allowing them to remain somewhat independent? Consider an assisted living arrangement.
Assisted living complexes work like apartment buildings or condos. They consist of several small homes or units designed to house aging adults. These complexes offer services like medical caretakers and housecleaners to help residents.
The best part of assisted living is the social aspect. There’s usually a clubhouse where social activities happen and your parents get to meet and become friends with people of the same age.
Accessory Dwelling Unit
Sometimes your aging parents don’t need full-time care or medical attention yet, but that doesn’t mean they have to live at home alone. Many households are building accessory dwelling units on their property to house their again parents.
These units, like the ones found at https://actonadu.com/blog/home-away-from-home-the-benefits-of-adus-as-family-housing-for-loved-ones, are fully-functional living spaces. Inside you’ll find a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living space. Your parents can have their very own home but in the comfort of your backyard.
This means your parents can live an independent life but can seek out help at any moment. You’ll never be far away from them and have to worry about their wellbeing.
Pay Attention to Medical Needs
Once you’ve figured out where your aging parent is going to live, you need to turn your concentration to their medical needs.
While a retirement or assisted living complex may provide medical attention, they are also juggling dozens of other seniors. You should be proactive and stay informed about their medical needs to help them remain happy and healthy.
Start by attending as many doctor’s appointments as you can. Start a medical journal to write down everything that is discussed at the appointment so you can refer to it later. You can also hand the journal off to someone else if you can’t make a certain appointment.
Then, educate yourself about their medications. Each week, help them set up a weekly pill organizer. That way you can be sure that they’re taking all their medications as prescribed and are less likely to skip or forget days.
Remember Their Social, Emotional Needs
Many studies have discovered a strong correlation between social interaction and wellbeing. If you’re caring for aging parents, it’s easy to get caught up with their medical needs and forget their social and emotional needs.
Make sure you’re still treating your parent as a respected family member.
Ask them their opinions about their living situation and medical needs. Let them decide how they use their free time and what activities they would like to get involved with. Encourage them to participate in old hobbies they once enjoyed or to learn a new skill.
You’ll find that the job of a caretaker becomes way easier once you stop thinking of yourself as a medical assistant. Instead, start thinking of yourself as their friend or companion.
Practice Self-Care
When you find yourself taking care of parents it can be easy to lose yourself in the process. Suddenly you have another person to take care of that may need around the clock attention. But you won’t be much help if you’re burnt out and stressed by the situation.
Instead, it’s important that you take time to practice self-care during this period of your life.
Choose a day of the week to take a break from caretaker duties. Invite your spouse out to dinner and agree not to discuss your aging parent for the whole evening. Join a book club or exercise class to give yourself time to focus on yourself.
However you decide to practice self-care, take it seriously. Write it down in your calendar and treat it like you would a doctor’s appointment or job responsibility. It won’t benefit anyone if you skip this important step.
Knowing How to Deal with Elderly Parents Is Challenging
Knowing how to care for elderly parents is challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Enlist the help of other family members to help balance the tasks. Even if your sibling helps take your parent to a doctor’s appointment or to a social event, this can help free up valuable time in your schedule. You don’t have to travel this journey on your own.
Also, be on the lookout for caregiver support groups in your area. These groups can help give you advice and resources for being the best caregiver possible.
Are you struggling to figure out how to care for elderly parents financially? If so, visit the Money section of this site for the best financial advice.
